The Emmerson Witches♥Chapter Six

                                    

                                          


                          


                          
Light streamed through my window. I rolled over, so comfortable, I almost went back to sleep. But my clock stared me in the face.
                          
God almighty! I had a date in forty minutes!
                          
The thought filled with sick excitement as I sprung from bed like I'd been electrocuted.
                          
"Coffee, Chime?" Tookie called over the shower.
                          
"No thank you," I said, turning the water off. Caffeine would only increase the hypertension I already felt.
                          
Nor did my shaking hand help with applying mascara. Eventually I gave up – hoping Raphael would be content with my bare, natural face.
                          
My aunt and sisters tried to be supportive and not snigger each time I marched out of my room in a new outfit. But they were in fits by the time I'd paraded my entire wardrobe.
                          
"Just be yourself," Angel giggled. "Wear what you're comfortable in."
                          
"Could you fit any more clichés into one sentence?" I groaned, discarding a cotton dress.
                          
I returned, gesturing wordlessly to my favorite white-croquet halter and faded jeans. I teamed the outfit with a cluster of silver bracelets, flat sandals, and left my hair loose.
                          
"Perfect," Evie approved.
                          
"Is he collecting you from here, honey?" Tookie asked.
                          
"Uh-huh," I nodded, too nervous to form words.
                          
I tensed at the sound of a car in our drive.
                          
"Why don't you ask him in?" my aunt urged, no doubt interested in getting an eyeful. 
                          
"Maybe next time," I dodged, grabbing my things together before Raphael could knock on the door.
                          
With a last look in the hall mirror, I was more than grateful  that I'd slept in. My skin had earned a smooth sheen. 
                          
Raphael stood next to a dark green convertible, staring out at our ocean view, smiling to himself. Privately captivated, I thought how he should be lifting a fizzy drink to his lips, or spraying on cologne, like the television commercial he resembled.
                          
"Morning," he grinned.
                          
"Good morning, yourself," I managed, overwhelmed by the golden, god-like creature in my driveway. "Nice car."
                          
"Courtesy of Maples Rentals," he winked. "Is that your family?"
                          
"Where?"
                          
"On the balcony," he laughed, waving.
                          
My aunt and sisters couldn't help themselves. I groaned at them gathered on the veranda, grinning away.
                          
"No," I said, mortified. "We're not related. Those are just a bunch of crazy people who hang out at my house sometimes..."
                          
Amused, he opened the door for me. I felt another lightening jolt as he slid in next to me. So lightheaded, I forgot to put on my seatbelt. With a stupid expression, I looked at him with question, wondering why we weren't going anywhere, until he leaned over and did it up for me. His neck was close enough to make me reel from his spicy-lemony smell. 
                          
Get a grip! I bullied myself. The day was not going to go well if I kept acting like I'd undergone a botched frontal lobotomy.
                          
"Where shall we go?" he asked, turning onto the ocean road.
                          
"I don't mind. If you'd like some coffee or brunch, Sailz Café do an amazing omelette." There, that was better. My voice sounded steady.
                          
The convertible drove smooth and easy over the bumps in the road, while I prayed our date turned out the same.